It was narrated that ‘Uthman bin Abi Al-As said:
“I said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, make  me the Imam of my people.’ He said: ‘You are their Imam, so consider the weakest among them and choose a Mu’adhdhin who does not accept any payment for his Adhan.'”
Declared Authentic By Imam Al Albaani (Saheehul Jaamia 1480) and Imam Muqbil (As Saheehul Musnad 906)
Shaykh Saalih Al Fawzaan said:
Thus this narration indicates upon the permissibility of a man asking for religious leadership which he intends from it the reward from Allah Subhanaahu Wa Taala. The Imam is a religious position which rewards are intended from it. There is no problem with seeking it (wanting to be the Imam) desiring in goodness, as for if the position is a worldly position such as the leadership or office, then the man doesn’t ask for it, because the prohibition has come regarding asking for the leadership and that the one who asks for it will be entrusted to it and he who doesn’t ask for it will be aided upon it. 
بلوغ المرام من ادلة الاحكام 
With footnotes and checking 
Print: Dar Umar Ibn Al Khattab 
Page 74